North University Tucson, AZ

Tucson’s rich heritage began with the Hohokam tribe in about 600 A.D. Much of the area was settled by cowboys and stagecoach drivers in the 1800s. Upon the construction of the University of Arizona in 1885, the population saw a surge of growth. In 1900, Tucson had around 7,000 recorded residents. Today, hundreds of thousands of people occupy the Southwestern Arizona region, many of them U of A students or graduates.

North University, 3 short miles from the Children’s Museum of Tucson, the Arizona Museum of Contemporary Art and Reid Park Zoo, stands as a testament to Southern Arizona’s diverse cultures. The city’s annual All Soul’s Day procession reflects the strong Spanish influence in the area. A literal stone's throw from the University of Arizona, Wildcat pride can be seen and felt from the cardinal red and navy blue flags waving from the streetlamps.

North University eateries place a big emphasis on food that’s fast enough for busy students and professors on the go. The neighborhood, dotted with McDonalds and Boston Markets, also benefits from close proximity to a number of dine-in eating establishments.

If you’re looking for a cafe with a friendly dine-in experience, try Cafe Marcel. The 4th Avenue favorite has coffees and crepes of all kind, including Nutella mocha and spinach and tomato. Patrons flock to the cafe early because the cute wood tables tend to fill up fast.

The Tasteful Kitchen, independently owned and operated, serves up vegetarian cuisine that even the most adamant meat-lovers would drool over. While most all of the innovative dishes are vegan and gluten-free, Chef Sigret Thompson never skimps on flavor. The sweet potato wedges, roasted in maple and rosemary, come with a side of ginger dipping sauce. The restaurant’s intimate North Avenue location sports warm yellow walls, white tablecloths and bamboo shoots or sunflowers in vases, making The Tasteful Kitchen the perfect place for a lunch or dinner date. Reserve your table online or call in an order for take-out.

Tucson, an hour from the border, has no shortage of authentic Mexican food. Boca Tacos y Tequila elevates traditional Sonoran fare to the level of gourmet. The Speedway location itself has an urban flair, with shiny red tables paired with glossy black chairs and Boca’s signature kiss-print painted on the wall. Alongside familiar meals such puerco verde, or shredded pork simmered in tomatillo sauce, Boca’s menu features urban recipes such as octopus tacos and Boca balls, chipotle mashed potatoes coated in Panko bread crumbs.

Some patrons flock to Frog and Firkin so often they join the beer club and get their card stamped each time they a new brew. The English pub, a campus hang-out that stays open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, serves a huge selection of international domestic beers, so you can sample a little something from China and Tahiti in the same night. The Frog’s jukebox, pool tables and dart boards provide plenty of entertainment, and its incredible artisanal pizzas are well worth the 20-minute wait.

If drinking isn’t your thing, spend a few hours at the Rialto Theatre. The concert venue on Congress Street and Toole Avenue plays host to local and major label bands. Find upcoming events and reasonably priced tickets on the theatre’s website.

North University’s wide sidewalks are very walkable and bikable, with paved trails on parts of East Mabel Street and West Warren Avenue and dedicated bike lanes on Ring Road, Mountain Avenue and Campbell Avenue. Most students walk or bike to the nearby campus.

If you choose to drive, restaurants and stores usually supply free parking, or you can pay for parking at local parking garages. Interstate 10 lies to the west side of North University and can accessed via Speedway Boulevard.

The Sun Link, also known as the Tucson Streetcar, zips across the Santa Cruz River from downtown Tucson to University of Arizona campus, providing a quick, cheap way to get to and from classes. Cabs are easiest hailed near the University of Arizona campus bars and restaurants. Sun Tran buses stop up and down Park, Mountain and Campbell Avenue.

Himmel Park, the closest neighborhood park to the North University area, has a playground, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, and covered ramadas with picnic tables and grills. Himmel’s proudest amenity consists of the outdoor aquatic center complete with 25-yard swimming and diving pool and wading pool for kids and babies.

Catalina Park on 4th Avenue near Catalina High School also has a pool open year-round. Much smaller than Himmel Park, Catalina features picnic tables, playgrounds and well-maintained bathrooms.

An 18-minute drive outside of Myers, Palo Verde Park boasts tennis courts and multipurpose fields, but most locals visit it for the fenced-off gravel dog park with waste management cans and benches for pet owners.

The cost of living in North University runs slightly higher than the average for the city of Tucson. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $667 per month. Gas prices typically run 9 percent lower than the national average. Expect to pay $3 for a beer and $1.50 for trip to the center of Tucson by bus -- unless, you're a college student with a U-Pass, in which case you only have to pay 75 cents.

You'll find a high concentration of retailers south of the North University neighborhood boundaries. While the Whole Foods Market on Speedway Boulevard helps North University residents stock up on organic groceries, many people opt to shop at the Food Conspiracy Co-op on 4th Avenue to support eco-conscious local farmers.

The Food Conspiracy Co-op sells healthy food staples and dry goods in bulk to cut down on wasteful packaging. Most of the fruits, berries, and vegetables are certified organic, and some of the store's produce comes from its own micro-farm located behind Conspiracy Kitchen. You don't have to be a member to shop. For special occasions, head to Time Market on University Boulevard, a combination deli and grocery store with shelves of gourmet baked breads and hard-to-find artisanal foods.

Cycling enthusiasts would be happy to visit Fair Wheel Bikes, which takes pride in being "Tuscan's oldest and most reputable pro shop," according to its website. This shop has a large online market, and staff enjoy helping customers in the local bike shop near the University, offering full sales and service for all kinds of bicycles. The company also hosts one of the top group rides in the country. These rides start on the University's west side every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Zoe Boutique provides stylish women's apparel and accessories with items categorized by price range. Those who don't have time to browse the racks can ask the helpful staff to point them in the right direction.

When locals need brand-name stores such as Macy's, Dillard's, or Banana Republic, they head to Park Place Mall. The indoor mall, a 15-minute drive outside of the North University neighborhood, allows locals to knock out their to-do list with a variety of stores. Parents can take advantage of the kid's play area, nursing lounge and stroller rental. Shoppers can close out their day of retail therapy with a blueberry banana smoothie from Cold Stone Creamery or catch a movie at the Century 20 Theater, conveniently located in the mall's food court.